Fire-extinguishing apparatus.



No. 703,662. Patented July I, I902.

"J. S. LETTS.

FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Aug. 12, 1901.; (No Model.) a Sheets-Sheet I.

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Patented July I, I902.

J. s. LETIS. FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Aug; 12, 1901.)

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Patented July l, 1902. J. S. LETT$.

FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

(Appliqation filed Aug. 12, 1901.)

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wwwsss UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JEREMIAH S. LETTS, OF GLADSTONE, NORTH DAKOTA.

FIRE-EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

QEEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 703,662, dated July 1, 1902. Application filed August 12, I901. Serial No; 71,724. (No modelJ T0 on whom it mag concern.-

Be it known that LJEREMIAH S; Lnrtrsa citizen of the United States,residin'g at Gladstone, in the county of Stark and State of North Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Extinguishing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

The object of myinvention is to provide an improved apparatus for extinguishing fires.

Heretofore it has been customary to project large volumes of water on a fire to extinguish it or to discharge fire-extinguishing gas in proximity thereto or 'to throw handgrenades thereon containing fire-extinguishing compounds.

According to my invention I cause fire-extinguishing powder to be discharged int-o thefire in a manner similar to that in which water has heretofore been used. The powder is carried from a central station through pipes to difierent points and discharged from the pipe system wherever needed. I also provide simpler apparatus in whichthe pipe system is not used, butthe powdered fire-extinguishing compound is discharged through appropriate discharge-nozzles from a receptacle of novel construction I also contemplate projecting shells containing fire-extinguishing material by my apparatus, and in some cases I may employ'aliquid or gaseous fire-extinguishing compound; but I prefer to use powdered material, as this is in itself harmless and onlybecomes active when subjected to the intense heatof a the. The organization of my improved system and the details of construction are hereinafter fully described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 .is a diagram showing the principal parts of the preferred form of my apparatus, most of which is shown in vertical central -section. Fig. 2 is a plan View of one form of apparatus in which a large number of powder-discharging apparatus converging into a single ejecting-pipe is shown. Fig. 3 is a view of the same in elevation with part ofthe casing broken away. Fig. 4 is a view, mostly in section, showing one form of the apparatus or one part of the apparatus in which means is provided for ejecting shells containing fireextinguishing compounds and also means is provided near the pointof discharge for storing and ejecting fire extinguishing com pounds. Fig. 5 illustrates a system of receptacles for storing compressed air. Y Asbefore stated, I prefer to use powdered fire-extinguishing material which becomes active only when subjected to the intense heat of the fire. This powdered material is stored in magazines A A, which are closed air-tight and provided with valved hoppers a, by means of which they may be filled. The magazines are preferably made to communicate by a valved pipe at, which may be operated'bya hand-wheel 0.

13 indicates a commingling and discharging apparatus, in which the powder is commingled with compressed air and discharged either directly through a nozzle or into a serv-.

ice-pipe. This apparatus consists of an outer casing b and an inner casing 12, between which and the casing 11 there is an air-chamber 11 an airreception chamber 0 within the casing b ',a com mingling-chamber D,arranged directly over'the chamber 0, and a dischargepipe E, communicating with the comminglingchamber D and leading to the outside of the apparatus. The air-reception chamber Chas perforated side walls, but is closed at top and bottom. The commingling-chamber D has perforated side walls, the perforations being of somewhat larger area than those in the walls of the chamber C. The chambers O and D are of smaller diameter than the casing 1), leavinga space 0 between the sides of the chamberslC and D and the casing 19. The

discharge-pipe E enters the top of the chamber D, passes through the top of the apparatus, and is provided atits outer end with a valve discharge-nozzle F. Air under pressure is admitted to the air-chamber b by way of a valvedpipe G, and the chamber b communicates with the chamber .0 by means of a valved pipe H. A valved pipe I, connected to the upper end of the cham berb extends to the top of the magazine A and a valved pipe J connects the chamber K, within the casing 19', with the powder-magazine A.

The apparatus thus described may be used in the form indicated but I have shown the apparatus 13 provided with other connecdons-namely, the connections L and M- which will behereinafter described; but in the form shown and described, assuming that the connections L and M are omitted, the apparatus works in the following manner: Powder from the magazine A flows through the pipe J into the chamber K, which it fills above the chambers C and D and also extends down along the sides thereof between the walls of these chambers and the casing Z). Air under pressure enters the chamber Z) through the valved pipe G,passes up through the pipe Iinto the magazine A above the powder, and forces the powder down through the pipe J in the chamber K. Air also passes from the chamher I) through the pipe II into the air-receiving chamber 0, then out through the perforations in the walls of this chamber, commingling with the powder and passing with the powder through the perforations in the walls of the chamber D, and then out through the discharge-pipe E and nozzle F. By means of an apparatus operating in this way fireextinguishing compounds may be continuously discharged through the nozzle F onto a fire, or the discharge of the powder may be arrested by means of the valve in the nozzle F by the firemen. The air-pressure may be regulated by means of the valves, and of course the supply of compressed air may be regulated by suitable safety-valves, so that at no time shall there be an excessive pressure in the apparatus. Air under pressure maybe supplied by suitable pumps, or it may be compressed into tanks connected with the apparatus B by means of the valved pipe G. Not only does such an apparatus dischargea tire-extinguishing powder upon the fire, but the strong currents of air which are discharged with the powder will serve to blow the flame in any desired direction, directing it away from any desired object and confining it to a selected locality.

The apparatus thus far described is simple and may he provided at comparatively small expense. The nozzle F may be located on the end of a pipe remote from the apparatus B. The power of the apparatus may be greatly increased by connecting it with other similar apparatus, as indicated in Fig. 1. In this case I provide a large casing N, containing a number of casings 0, within each of which there is an air-receiving chamber P, a commingling-chamber Q, and a dischargepipe S. Sufticient space is left within the casing N between the casings O to allow for the accumulation of a suflicient quantity of air, and the air is conveyed from the air-space to the air-receiving chambers P by means of the valved pipe T. Ihe air-space within the casing N is connected with the top of the powder-magazine A by means of a valved pipe U, and the powder-magazine is connected with the chambers within the casings O by means of valved pipes V. 7 indicates a storage-chamber divided into two compartments 'w w by means of a double partition 10 These compartments communicate with each other by means of a valved pipe 10 The lower chamber w is connected with a service-pipe X by means of a valved pipe cc, and this service-pipe is also connected with the air-receiving chamber 0 in the apparatus B by means of a valved pipe L. Valves m 00 and 0:" are provided in the service-pipe, the arrangement being such that there is a valve in the service-pipe on each side of the pipe at and on each side of the pipe L. The upper chamber w is connected with the magazine A by means of a pipe Y, which is provided with a valve y near its lower end and witha valve 1 near its upper end. Avalved pipe M connects the pipe Y, just above the valve 1 with the chamber K, and the discharge-pipes S, eachof which is provided with a valve, are connected with the pipe Y between the pipe M and the valve 1 Air under pressure is admitted to the interior of the casing N by means of a valved pipe Z, and it passes from the air-space within the casing through the pipes T into the air-chambers P. The powder passes into the interior of the casings 0 from the magazine A through the pipes V, and the air which passes out through the perforations in the walls of the chambers P causes the powder to pass into the com mingling-chambers Q and out through the discharge-pipes S. By means of the system of valves shown the commingled air and powder may be caused to take several courses. By closing the valves y and y and opening the valve in the pipe M the commingled powder and air may be caused to enter the upper part of the chamber K and be discharged through the pipe E. In such case the valve in the pipe I might be closed, so that the supply of powder would not be from the magazine A, but from the magazine A, or the valve 3 and the valve a of the pipe M might be closed and the powder and air might be made to enter the receptacle W and either stored therein when the valve 0c is closed or caused to enter the service-pipe. If the valve 00 is closed and the valve 00 is open, the eommingled air and powder may pass in the direction of arrow No. 1 into the service-pipe and be conveyed to any desired remote point. It the valves x and x are closed and the valves {1/3 and Z are open, then the commingled air and powder will pass into the chamber 0 of the apparatus B and either pass through the dischargepipe E alone or it will combine with the apparatus B in discharging powder and air. It will be observed also that the valves are so arranged that powder may be conveyed through the pipe Y from the magazine A into the receptacle WV, so as to increase the amount of powder supplied to the service-pipe from the apparatus at the left-hand end, Fig. 1, or the powder may be caused to enter the receptacle W, and the air without powder may be supplied from said apparatus. The service-pipe may be provided with couplings at remote points or at any desired point for connecting hose or pipes to direct the fire-extinguishing compound upon a fire, and such an apparatus as shown in Fig. 1 may be made on a scale of suitable dimensions to be carried by a vehicle, in which case storage-tanks containing air' under heavy pressure would be also carried by the vehicle.

In Fig. 5 I have shown storage-tanks which may be employed whether the apparatus be stationary or movable. These tanks may be connected with the couplings G and Z (shown in Fig. l) in suitable ways. It will be observed that the storage-tanks S S S and S are connected together; but valves are interposed, so that the air may be confined in one or more of the tanks, or it may be distributed throughout the system. If air under heavy pressure were confined to the tank S for instance, the strain would be very severe, and it might be desirable to relieve the tank from pressure. This could be done by opening the valve 8 and permitting a part of the air to flow into the tank S I One of the tanks can be coupled up to an air pump or compressor, and the compressed air may be distributed throughout the tanks, the valves connecting the tanks being all open, or the tanks may be separately filled with compressed air.

In Figs. 2 and 3 I have shown apparatus similar to that shown in Fig. 1, the only difference being that a larger number of powder-discharging apparatus are employed. In this instance a large strong casing N is used, and within this there are a large number of devices for discharging commingled air and powder into a common discharge-pipe F f indicates the discharge-pipes, which con verge and discharge into the pipe F. f indicates the pipes through which powder is supplied to the apparatus. f indicates the valved pipes through which air is conveyed to the discharging apparatus. Such an apparatus may be used for discharging the powder directly from the discharge pipe or nozzle F but it is especially intended to supply a serv- In Fig. 4 I have shown another part of the apparatus which is intended to be used at the scene of the fire. S indicates a discharge pipe or nozzle which communicates with a cylinder T Between the discharge-pipe S and the cylinder T is interposed a valve T The cylinder T is provided at one end with an opening t, closed by a cap 25 and at its opposite end it is provided with an opening i provided with a coupling t containing a check-Valve opening inward. The cylinder T may be filled with compressed air, which may be allowed to enter the barrel or discharge-pipe S by properly manipulating the Valve T A shell U, containing fire-extinguishing powder, liquid, or other fire-extinguishing material, may be located in the barrel, and when the compressed air is allowed to escape past the valve T the shell will be discharged from the barrel and may be directed to the fire. When the shell strikes, it

will be broken and the fire-extinguishing material distributed and then converted into a fire-extinguishing gas. The cylinder T may be connected with the,service-pipe, such as X, (shown in Fig. 1,) and air under pressure may be made to discharge through the barrel S and eject the shell U into the fire .and may follow this up by discharging fire-extinguishing compounds. The. connection between the cylinder T and service-pipe may be through the coupling 25, or it may be through the opening t ,if preferred. The cylinder T may be connected with powder-discharging apparatusV by means of a short flexible pipe V The apparatus V may have its chamber 0 filled with powder or fire-extinguishing material, and the comminglingchamber o may be connected, by means of a pipe v with a powder-supplying magazine, while the chamber-r may be connected by a pipe-o with an air-supply. The apparatus will operate in a manner similar to the apparatus B. (Shown in Fig. 1.)

The apparatus shown in Fig. 4=u1ay be carried from place to place by the firemen, orsuch apparatus may be located at various points in various houses and may be connected up with the supply for powder and air when required. It may be used in connection with otherdischarge apparatus.

By my system I am enabled to extinguish fires, both great and small, by discharging into the fire a powder which is in itself harmless, bnt which becomes active when heated. No harm results from discharging a surplus of the material into a house after the fire is extinguished, and hence I avoid the damage that is done by saturating the house with water, and it has the advantage over a fire-extinguishing chemical liquid in that the powder does not injure firemen or others with whom it comes in contact.

It is obvious that the apparatus may be constructed on a small scale or on a very large scale, with small power Orgreat power, and it is perfectly feasible to convey the fireextinguishing material from a central station to remote points.

The air compressed into the tanks should be dry. Any suitable means for drying the &

a perforated commingling-chamber also within the powder-chamber, and a discharge-pipe connected with the commingling-chamber.

3. The combination of a powder-magazine; an air-supply chamber; a powder-receiving chamber surrounding the air-supply chamber; a perforated commingling-chamber within the powder-chamber, and a discharge-pipe connected with the commingling-chamber.

4. The combination of a powder-magazine, a powder-receiving chamber, a valved pipe connecting the powder-magazine with the powder-receiving chamber, an air-chamber surrounding the powder-receiving chamber, a pipe connecting the air-chamber with the powder-magazine, a perforated air-receiving chamber within the powder-chamber, a commingling-chamber, also within the powderreceiving chamber, and a discharge-pipe connected with the commingling-chamber.

5. The combination of a service-pipe; a powder-magazine; a powder-chamber; an airchamber surrounding the powder-chamber; a perforated receiving-chamber connected with said first-mentioned air-chamber; a perforated commingling-chamber within the powder-chamber, and a discharge-pipe connected with the service-pipe.

6. The combination of a service-pipe; a powder-receiving chamber; a powder-magazine connected therewith; an air-receiving chamber surrounding the powder-receiving chamber; apipe connecting said air-chamber with the powder-magazine; a perforated commingling-chamber within the powder-magazine, means for supplying air and powder thereto, and a discharge-pipe connecting the commingling-chamber with the service-pipe.

7. The combination of a powder-receiving chamber,an air-su pply, a commingling-chamher, a discharge-pipe, the receiving-chamber, \V, other powder-receiving chambers, airsupplies and commingling-chambers, and discharge-pipes connected with the receivingchamber, W.

S. The combination of two powder-magazines, a powder-receivin g chamber connected with one of said magazines, an air-chamber surrounding the powder-receiving chamber, an air-receiving chamber within the powderreceiving chamber and connected with the first-mentioned air-chamber, a comminglingchamber also within the powder-receiving chamber, a discharge-pipe connected with the commingling-chamber, a casing of large dimensions containing a series of powder-receiving chambers connected with one of the powder-magazines, and each containing an air-receiving chamber and a comminglingchamber, a storing-chamber, W, connected with one of the magazines, discharge-pipes connecting the commingling-chambers last mentioned with the storage-chamber, W, connections between this chamber and the powder-chamber of the first-mentioned apparatus, a service-pipe, and connections between the service-pipe and the storage-chamber, and between the service-pipe and the air-receiving chamber of the first-mentioned apparatus.

9. The combination of an inclosing casing, a series of powder-receiving chambers therein, each containing an air-receiving chamber and a commingling-chamber, which latter are each provided with a discharge-pipe, and a discharge-pipe of large dimensions to which said first-mentioned discharge-pipes are all connected.

10. The combination of a powder-receiving chamber, an air-receiving chamber within the powder-receiving chamber, a commingling-chamber also Within the powder-receiving chamber, means for supplying air to the air-receiving chamber, a dischargepipe, a cylinder connected therewith, a dischargepipe or barrel, and a valve interposed between the cylinder and the discharge-pipe or barrel.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JEREMIAII S. LETTS.

W'itnesses:

J. H. FIELD, JAMES G. CAMPBELL. 

